Hello, my name is Erin and I am addicted to Pinterest (3)

I started drinking the Pinterest koolaid this past summer. I would look up from my computer and realize hours had passed. Now, I wake up to nurse Liza at 3AM and find the latest in overly decadent desserts, the latest fashion trends, and the coolest project that I just have to do.  But the worst part? I'm really good at pinning...just not the actual doing part.

Until lately.  I can't tell you that I've finally done those sewing projects or taken a bizillion pictures of my child according to expert photogs.  But, I'm definitely trying out the recipes. 

Enter crockpot buffalo chicken.  Three ingredients, no prep work, in the crockpot.  Sold.

So I started with that recipe and threw in 3 pounds of chicken, a bottle of Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce, and a packet of ranch dressing mix.  I let it hang out on low for 6 hours, shredded it and then mixed it back in for another hour or so.  It was good.  But I wasn't sure I wanted to make buffalo chicken sandwiches...which may have partly been due to the fact that I had mixed some of the chicken with some cream cheese and shredded cheese to make our favorite buffalo chicken dip.

Back to pinterest.  That's where I saw the recipe for buffalo chicken mac and cheese.  Uh hello, yes please.

It was a.w.e.s.o.m.e.  AMAZINGLY awesome.  Even leftovers were outta this world.  And it's healthy because I used whole wheat pasta.  Ok...not totally healthy, but better than if I would've used regular pasta, right?? 

*Warning: this picture does not even come close to doing this dish justice...but it was dark out and we were hungry!*

Here's what you'll need:
1 lb. whole wheat pasta (I used penne)
2 cups buffalo chicken mixture
3 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons Flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (grate this before, don't use the pre-packaged stuff...it's horrible for melting)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Salt & Pepper

Here's what you do:
[1] Preheat oven to 375.
[2] Start water to boil for pasta.  Cook pasta 1 minute shy of recommended cooking time.
[3] While doing that, melt butter in a saucepan.  Once butter is melted, whisk in the flour.  Continue whisking until the mixture turns a golden, almost brown, color.
[4]  Pat yourself on the back.  You just made a roux.  Feeling pretty fancy schmancy, aren't ya?
[5] Then, add milk and continue to stir until sauce thickens.  Then add salt and pepper to taste and the garlic powder.  Next, mix in the shredded cheese. 
[6] Mix the buffalo chicken mixture in with the sauce mixture.  Then, add to the pasta. 
[7] Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Spread pasta and sauce mixture.  Top with parmesan cheese and then breadcrumbs. 
[8] Bake for 15-20 minutes or until sauce is gooey and delicious!

This recipe wasn't quite spicy enough for JW.  So if you like food spiiiiiicy, add some more hot sauce to the cheese sauce mixture before you mix in the shredded cheese. 

Anybody else actually following through on something they've pinned??  We'd love to hear about your latest pinterest project or recipe!